The Canadians will play Norway for bronze after losing 4-2 against Finland in a semifinal on Saturday in Zurich. It was Canada’s first loss in the tournament following eight consecutive wins. Finland will play host Switzerland for gold on Sunday after the Swiss beat Norway 6-0 in the other semifinal. Canada and Norway will meet in the earlier game on Sunday. Canada held a 2-1 lead after the first period at Swiss Life Arena but couldn’t hold back a determined Finnish group. Finland made the
difference in the second period, scoring three unanswered goals courtesy of Aleksander Barkov, Konsta Helenius and Aatu Raty, and never looked back. Dylan Holloway and Robert Thomas scored in the first period after Finland’s Patrik Puistola opened the scoring 3 1/2 minutes after the opening faceoff. “Very disappointing,” Canada forward John Tavares told TSN after the game. “There’s a high expectation, a certain standard we have and a lot of pride playing for Canada. “When you don’t meet that, it’s very difficult. We play for
gold and that’s what we come to this tournament to try to earn and try to win. That dream comes to an end. “We have to re-group and give our best (on Sunday in the bronze-medal game).” Jet Greaves made 17 saves in the Canada net. For Finland, goaltender Justus Annunen made 27 saves. Annunen stopped all 14 Canada shots in the third period. Canada failed to score on two power plays, while Finland did not have a man advantage. tkoshan@postmedia.com X: @koshtorontosun
Canada Finland semifinal, world semi, Zurich, Swiss Life Arena, Norway bronze, John Tavares, Dylan Holloway, Robert Thomas, Aleksander Barkov, Konsta Helenius, Aatu Raty, Patrik Puistola
Damn 4-2 is brutal. Canada was on fire too.
Wait Finland beat Canada?? I thought Canada always wins those. Also “bronze game” like it doesn’t matter but it’s still something I guess.
Finland scoring 3 straight in the second kinda explains it. But Canada not scoring on power plays?? That’s like… the whole point of having them. Tavares sounds mad but also they just weren’t ready.
Zurich, Swiss Life Arena… so is this like soccer or actual hockey? I’m confused why they’re talking about Switzerland vs Norway for gold but Canada still plays Sunday for bronze. Seems backwards somehow. Also why is Tavares quoted like he did it personally lol.